Bobcats fans will be treated to a familiar face behind the bench when the hockey season kicks off in September, as the Jr. ‘A’ Bobcats Hockey Association proudly announced at the organization’s AGM Thursday evening that Gord Thibodeau has been hired on to join the Bobcats coaching staff for the 2014-15 season.
Thibodeau returns to the Bobcats with a wealth of AJHL coaching experience, including three years as head coach in Lloydminster from 1997-98 to 1999-00 where he won the AJHL Coach of the Year honours in 1998-99 and led the franchise to its winningest season in 1999-00. As head coach of over 1,200 AJHL games, Thibodeau has twice been named the league’s Coach of the Year and has won more than 700 regular season games, going the distance to win the AJHL in 2005-06. A total of 110 players have gone on to NCAA Division I hockey programs after playing under Thibodeau.
Garry VanHereweghe on the hiring – “I am extremely pleased and excited to have such a well-respected and proven hockey person join the Bobcats organization. Having had the opportunity of coaching against Gord over the past 15 years and having a first-hand knowledge of his success and dedication tothe game, I am of the firm opinion that the Bobcats have taken a huge step in regards to moving our players and the entire organization to the next level.”
The hiring is a multiple-year contract effective immediately, with Thibodeau relocating to Lloydminster throughout the next month. For more information, please contact Garry VanHereweghe at 780.808.5077 or Gord Thibodeau at 780.886.9780.